Instant Pot 140-6018-01 Single Serve coffee maker: Full Review

The Instant Pot 140-6018-01 is a single serve coffee maker that provides a fast and convenient way to brew fresh coffee at home. It is compatible with K-Cup pods and includes reusable filters so you can use your own ground coffee too.

This Instant Pot coffee maker has a slim profile and compact design that won't take up much space on your kitchen counter. The stainless steel exterior gives it a sleek, modern look that will fit into any kitchen décor. The charcoal colored accents add a nice touch of color.

At just 10 inches wide, this single serve model is ideal for small spaces or anywhere you want a personal coffee maker without sacrificing counter space. It can brew coffee in under a minute, so you can enjoy a fresh cup quickly. This Instant Pot coffee maker is simple to operate with intuitive controls and buttons.

Overall, the Instant Pot 140-6018-01 offers fast brew times, flexible brewing options, and a space-saving design in an attractive package. It's a solid choice for people who want the convenience of single serve coffee without the waste of plastic pods.

Design and Appearance

The Instant Pot Single Serve coffee maker has an attractive, compact design that will look great on any kitchen countertop. This single-cup coffee maker measures 6.5 x 5.3 x 11.2 inches, making it perfect for small spaces and apartments. It has a modern, contemporary style featuring a combination of matte black plastic and stainless steel accents. The water reservoir and drip tray are made from durable black plastic while the brewing chamber uses brushed stainless steel for an upscale look. The simplistic style and black and silver color scheme allow this single-serve coffeemaker to blend into nearly any kitchen decor. Despite its small footprint, it does not feel flimsy or cheap. The materials appear high-quality and sturdy. Overall, the sleek and minimalist aesthetic gives this personal coffee maker an elegant yet understated appearance.

Another excellent choice is the Hamilton Beach 49981A, which offers a unique combination of convenience and quality. This single-serve coffee maker is designed with a durable stainless steel construction, ensuring long-lasting use and a professional appearance. It also features a reusable mesh scoop filter that allows you to use your favorite ground coffee, making it both economical and environmentally friendly. The compact design is perfect for tight spaces, and its sleek appearance adds a touch of elegance to any kitchen counter.

Brewing Features

The Instant Pot Single Serve coffee maker offers a variety of options when it comes to customizing your brew. It can brew 6 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz, and 12 oz cups, allowing you to prepare anything from a quick espresso shot to a large travel mug of coffee.

The strength control function lets you select regular or bold brewing. Regular brews a standard cup of coffee, while bold increases the brew time and water temperature for a stronger, bolder flavor. This is great if you prefer your morning coffee with a bit more kick.

There are also three temperature settings to choose from - 187°F, 192°F, and 197°F. The lower temperatures are ideal for lighter roasted beans, while the hotter temperatures bring out more flavor from dark roasts. You can experiment to find the perfect temperature for the beans you use most often.

For those exploring other options, the CHULUX QF-CM801 single serve coffee maker is also an excellent choice. It supports various cup sizes, ensuring flexibility based on your needs. Additionally, its compact and sleek design helps save counter space, making it perfect for smaller kitchens or offices. The CHULUX model is known for its simplicity and ease of use, making it a great option for those who want a quick, no-fuss coffee experience.

Overall, the brew size options, strength control, and temperature settings on the Instant Pot single serve give you plenty of customization to craft your perfect cup of coffee. You can fine tune the settings to match your preferences and the beans you use.

Ease of Use

The Instant Pot Coffee Maker is praised for its user-friendly interface and easy day-to-day operation. The large 1.8-inch control panel has intuitive buttons that allow you to choose between a small 6 oz cup, 8 oz cup, 10 oz travel mug or a 12 oz cup. Simply insert your preferred k-cup pod, select your cup size and press start. The coffee maker will automatically brew the perfect amount.

Cleaning and maintenance are straightforward with removable parts that are dishwasher safe. The drip tray pops out for fast emptying and cleaning. Descaling is also simple, you just pour descaling solution into the 40oz water tank and run a descaling cycle. There are reminder alerts that prompt when it's time to descale based on usage.

The Instant Pot coffee maker takes a lot of the headache out of brewing coffee. There's no complicated programming or features to learn. Just pop in a pod, choose your cup size and go.

Beverage Quality

The Instant Pot Single Serve coffee maker brews coffee and espresso with excellent taste and aroma. The machine uses a 15 bar Italian pump and precise PID temperature control to optimize flavor extraction and produce a rich, full-bodied beverage.

The espresso shots pull with a lovely, thick crema on top that indicates good extraction and freshness. The brewed coffee comes out with a smooth, balanced flavor that is neither too bitter nor too acidic. Many reviewers comment that it rivals the taste of higher-end, more expensive single serve models.

Both the coffee and espresso come out piping hot, at an ideal drinking temperature. The PID temperature control maintains optimal brewing temp throughout the extraction process. You won't have to worry about lukewarm coffee with this machine.

Overall, the Single Serve produces delicious coffee and espresso beverages with exceptional taste, aroma and mouthfeel. It's a compact, affordable model that punches above its weight when it comes to beverage quality.

Accessories

The Instant Pot 140-6018-01 single serve coffee maker comes with some handy accessories to get you brewing right away. It includes a stainless steel removable brew basket that is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.

The package also contains a reusable coffee filter so you can use your own ground coffee instead of pods if desired. This cuts down on waste and gives you more options for the types of coffee you brew. The reusable filter fits neatly in the brew basket.

Some additional accessories included are 2 large coffee pods that hold enough ground coffee for a 8oz or 10oz cup. The pods have lids so you can pre-fill them with coffee and store for later use.

For tea lovers, there is a separate tea basket accessory that allows you to steep loose leaf tea if you prefer that over coffee. It gives you more versatility from this machine.

Lastly, the water reservoir is removable for easy filling and cleaning. The 40oz capacity means you likely won't need to refill it too frequently.

Overall, the accessories provided allow you get the most functionality out of the single serve coffee maker and accommodate various beverage preferences. The reusable parts are a nice touch for sustainability.

Pros

• The MultiOne delivers consistent, great tasting coffee every time. The optimal water temperature and precision flow control ensures full flavor extraction and reduces bitterness and acidity.

• It's very easy and intuitive to use. Simply insert a pod, choose your brew size, and press start. Clean up just requires a rinse under the sink. No complicated controls or features to learn.

• The brewer has dishwasher safe parts and is easy to disassemble for cleaning. The drip tray and reservoir are also removable. This makes cleaning and maintenance simple.

• It heats up in under a minute, allowing you to quickly brew a fresh cup of coffee with almost no waiting. The fast brew time is perfect for busy mornings.

Cons

• The removable reservoir only holds enough water for 5-6 cups before needing a refill. This may be inconvenient for households that brew coffee for multiple people.

• There is no programmable timer or scheduled brewing feature. The machine must be manually turned on each time you want to brew.

• The maximum cup size is 14 oz, which may be small for people who prefer large travel mugs or full carafes of coffee. Anything over 14 oz will overflow the brew basket.

• While the machine is compact, some reviews mention the water tank juts out from the back making it difficult to place near a wall or under cabinets. Measure your space before purchasing.

• The reusable filter can allow more sediment through versus proprietary paper filters. Some users note gritty texture in the final brew.

Comparable Models

The Instant Pot Single Serve coffee maker offers similar features and functionality as other top-rated single serve pod coffee makers on the market. Here's how it stacks up against some of the key competitors:

Keurig K-Mini

The Keurig K-Mini is one of the most popular and widely available single serve pod coffee makers. Like the Instant Pot, the K-Mini is compact, fast, and can brew 6-12 oz cup sizes. However, the Instant Pot offers a removable water reservoir for easier filling while the K-Mini's reservoir needs to be filled in place. The K-Mini may have a slight edge when it comes to beverage customization with brew strength and temperature controls. The Instant Pot is compatible with more pod brands.

Nespresso Vertuo

Nespresso Vertuo machines use proprietary coffee pods and barcode reading technology to brew espresso and regular coffee in different sizes. The brewing process is very fast and yields excellent coffeehouse style drinks. However, the Instant Pot offers more flexibility with the types of pods that can be used. The Vertuo machines are also more expensive than the budget-friendly Instant Pot.

Cuisinart SS-10

The Cuisinart SS-10 is simple to operate with one-touch hot water brewing and adjustable cup sizes. It has a sleek stainless steel design that would look nice on any kitchen counter. The water reservoir is not removable for refilling, and overall it offers fewer features than the Instant Pot. But it's comparable in terms of convenience, speed, and coffee quality.

Conclusion

The Instant Pot Single Serve coffee maker is a solid option for making quick, convenient single cups of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. It has a slim profile that won't take up much counter space, and is easy to use with K-cup pods or the included reusable filter.

The main pros are the simplicity and speed of brewing, ability to brew 6-12 oz cups, energy-saving auto shut-off, and dishwasher safe parts for easy cleanup. The adjustable cup stand is also useful for fitting travel mugs.

On the downside, there is no programmability, temperature control options are limited, and the water reservoir could be larger. The brewing process itself is fairly basic, with few customization options besides cup size.

This single serve model is best suited for people who want an affordable and no-frills pod brewer for whipping up 1-2 cups at a time. It lacks some of the settings and versatility of higher-end single cup machines, but gets the job done for casual everyday use. For the price point, it's a convenient option for quick homemade coffee and hot drinks.